New Study Uncovers that Sunlight and Clouds, Instead of CO2, Shape Earth’s Climate
The Earth’s warming is attributed to increased sunlight absorption resulting from decreased global cloud cover, as concluded by two researchers.
The summer months of this year were marked by cold outdoor pools, scorching concrete surfaces, and melting popsicles due to the intense heat.
“What we’re experiencing today is vastly different from what was encountered 30 to 40 years ago. We are in a whole new reality.”
“Stabilizing the climate requires rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for net zero CO2 emissions,” stated Panmao Zhai, a Chinese climatologist and co-chair of the IPCC Working Group I.
“Limiting other greenhouse gases like methane could have dual benefits for health and the climate.”
Ned Nikolov, a physical scientist affiliated with Colorado State University, disputed the IPCC’s claims regarding CO2.
“The greenhouse theory suggests that the atmospheric composition plays a crucial role,” explained Nikolov. “However, the concept that minimal increases in carbon dioxide cause global warming is erroneous.”
Albedo and Climate
NASA describes Earth’s atmosphere as constantly working to balance its energy budget, which involves absorbing and releasing sunlight. Changes in this balance can lead to temperature changes on Earth.
An alteration in this equilibrium, such as increased sunlight absorption or reduced heat emission to space, can cause Earth’s temperature to rise. This phenomenon, known as radiative forcing, involves shortwave incoming radiation and longwave outgoing radiation.
Moreover, Earth’s albedo, the proportion of reflected sunlight, influences the amount of radiation reaching the surface.
Regarding Earth’s albedo, the IPCC acknowledges a decline in surface solar radiation between 1950 and 1980 but a partial recovery afterward. This trend is attributed to variations in anthropogenic aerosol emissions and cloudiness.
Nikolov emphasized the critical role of cloud cover in climate regulation and called for further interdisciplinary research to understand the drivers of climate change.
The absence of substantial warming beyond solar forcing challenges the current climate consensus. Nikolov urges a shift in focus towards the impact of Earth’s albedo changes and cloud cover on recent warming trends.